Across the years . . .
With a history spanning more than 80 years and as one of Hamilton's most established arts institutions, The Hamilton Citizens' Bands is a leader in the local musical arts community and one of the top brass bands within New Zealand.
Band facilities
Pre 1993, the band spent much of its existence in premises situated in Grantham Street then in 1974 moved to the Peachgrove Lounge on Peachgrove Road. In 1993, with the vision and drive of Leo Roche and Richard Edgecombe, the Society relocated to the purpose renovated Bandroom on Clyde Street where it happily remains.
Pre 1993, the band spent much of its existence in premises situated in Grantham Street then in 1974 moved to the Peachgrove Lounge on Peachgrove Road. In 1993, with the vision and drive of Leo Roche and Richard Edgecombe, the Society relocated to the purpose renovated Bandroom on Clyde Street where it happily remains.
Band success
Hamilton City Brass has a strong history of contesting at regional, national and international levels and has been graded A, B or C grade band throughout its history. After winning the B grade championship title for the second year in a row in 2017, Hamilton City Brass was invited to move into the A grade.
Under various names - Hamilton Citizens Band, Waikato Times Hamilton Brass, Castle Trust Hamilton Brass and now Hamilton City Brass, the senior band has enjoyed many New Zealand and Australian contest successes. We have won the NZ B grade championship in 1949, 1955, 1983, 1989, 1993 and more recently under the musical direction of Mason Elliot in 2013 then Glenn Richards in 2016 and 2017. The band has won the Australian National B grade championship in style both in 1988 in Sydney under conductor Bruce Borthwick and then 1994 in Melbourne under conductor Ian Levien.
Hamilton City Brass has a strong history of contesting at regional, national and international levels and has been graded A, B or C grade band throughout its history. After winning the B grade championship title for the second year in a row in 2017, Hamilton City Brass was invited to move into the A grade.
Under various names - Hamilton Citizens Band, Waikato Times Hamilton Brass, Castle Trust Hamilton Brass and now Hamilton City Brass, the senior band has enjoyed many New Zealand and Australian contest successes. We have won the NZ B grade championship in 1949, 1955, 1983, 1989, 1993 and more recently under the musical direction of Mason Elliot in 2013 then Glenn Richards in 2016 and 2017. The band has won the Australian National B grade championship in style both in 1988 in Sydney under conductor Bruce Borthwick and then 1994 in Melbourne under conductor Ian Levien.
Civic events
Hamilton City Brass is proud to be part of many of Hamilton's civic events throughout the year. We are a familiar presence at the annual ANZAC Day Civic Service and can also be found marching through the city in the much-loved Santa Parade.
Each December, members of Hamilton City Brass join forces with Koru Brass Hamilton to bring the sound of Christmas to neighbourhoods across the city through our annual Christmas carolling tradition. This event plays an important role in our organisation by raising vital funds, increasing our visibility within the community, and most importantly, sharing the joy of live music during the festive season.
Beyond civic events, Hamilton City Brass enjoys a loyal concert audience throughout Hamilton and the wider Waikato. Our performances range from relaxed afternoon concerts in the Hamilton Gardens to appearances in the Hamilton Arts Festival, as well as feature concerts in some of Hamilton's premier performance venues. Whether performing outdoors, on stage, or in the heart of the community, we are committed to bringing high-quality brass music to our community.
Hamilton City Brass is proud to be part of many of Hamilton's civic events throughout the year. We are a familiar presence at the annual ANZAC Day Civic Service and can also be found marching through the city in the much-loved Santa Parade.
Each December, members of Hamilton City Brass join forces with Koru Brass Hamilton to bring the sound of Christmas to neighbourhoods across the city through our annual Christmas carolling tradition. This event plays an important role in our organisation by raising vital funds, increasing our visibility within the community, and most importantly, sharing the joy of live music during the festive season.
Beyond civic events, Hamilton City Brass enjoys a loyal concert audience throughout Hamilton and the wider Waikato. Our performances range from relaxed afternoon concerts in the Hamilton Gardens to appearances in the Hamilton Arts Festival, as well as feature concerts in some of Hamilton's premier performance venues. Whether performing outdoors, on stage, or in the heart of the community, we are committed to bringing high-quality brass music to our community.